Alastair 'shocked' by level of poverty in Peru

Alastair White with Nicole, the Peruvian child
sponsored by his family.

A LISBURN man who devotes his spare time to raising awareness
of child poverty has spoken of his shock at some of his
experiences during a visit to Peru.

Alastair White, a Voluntary Advocate with the child
development charity 'Compassion' travelled to the South American
country to encourage the organisation's work in the area.

He was horrified by the depth of poverty in which some of the
country's citizens exist.

"When we think of poverty it is most often Africa of his
experiences during a visit to Peru.

Alastairn countries that come to mind, probably because of
the television coverage they receive," he continued.

"But my visit to Peru has given me a whole new perspective on
the awful deprivation in this part of the world."

He explained while Peru is a popular destination known for
ancient Inca civilisations, breathtaking scenery and the
stunning lost city of Macchu Picchu, more than 50 per cent of
its people live below the poverty line.

"Poverty and war have led to an increased number of children
forced to live on the streets," he said.

A little girl stands at the door of
her home.

Peruvian families trapped by poverty
often have to live in dwellings such as these.

Alastair, whose family sponsors a Peruvian child called
Nicole, saw how Compassion works with local churches to link
individual sponsors in the developed world to a child in one of
24 of the globe's poorest countries.

Through this programme the charity supports more than one
million children ensuring they receive education, nutrition, and
health care as well as social and emotional support. He was also
moved by the happiness of the children in the midst of the
poverty: "They don't realise how poor they are. They are just
children comfortable in their own surroundings," he explained.

"Many live in homes no bigger than garden sheds with no
electricity, water or sanitation."

The Lisburn man was very impressed by the work of Cindi, one
of Compassion's Leadership Development Programme students
working in Peru.

He explained she is currently studying to be an educational
psychologist and wants to establish why some children cannot
learn in a bid to address the problem.

"She also wants to help 'teach the teachers' to try and
develop change from within the educational system," he added.

"Cindi, like the others we met with their own visions for the
future and their desires to improve the lives of others, was a
real encouragement to me."

Compassion's Executive Director Ian Hamilton said he had
'nothing but respect' for his charity's Advocates such as
Alastair.

"In the midst of their own busy lives they make time to help
more children escape from poverty," he added.

Mr. Hamilton also said it was easy to feel 'overwhelmed' by
the tremendous needs of children in the developing world.

"Compassion offers a very practical and meaningful way for
people to make a difference by sponsoring a child for just £18
per month," he said.